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Notice

The problem that the "Symptoms of the problem" section describes was corrected in Windows XP Service Pack 1 and later versions of Windows XP. If you are still experiencing a problem that resembles the one that this article describes, it may be a different problem. To troubleshoot similar problems, please see the "Similar problems" section later in this article.

INTRODUCTION

When you try to log on to Recovery Console in Windows XP, you receive an error message. This article contains step-by-step instructions to try that may help you to successfully log on to Recovery Console. If these steps do not resolve your problem, this article also provides links to articles that discuss similar problems and solutions.

Symptoms of the problem

When you try to log on to Recovery Console in Windows XP by typing the correct password for the local Administrator account, Recovery Console may display the following error message:

The password is not valid. Please retype the password.Type the Administrator password:

This error message may occur even though you typed the correct password. If you start Windows XP, successfully log on by using the same password, change the local administrator's password, and restart the computer to Recovery Console, you receive the same error message. This issue may occur if Windows XP was originally installed from a Sysprep image or if Sysprep 2.0 was run on the computer at one time. Sysprep.exe makes changes to the way that password keys are stored in the registry. These changes are incompatible with the Recovery Console logon routine.

Note The manufacturer of your computer may have used Sysprep to preinstall Windows XP on your computer.

Steps to resolve the problem

Notice

If you cannot resolve your problem by the following method, you might want to ask someone for help or contact support. For information about how to do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/

Note If you can start Windows XP and the Recovery Console is not preinstalled on your hard disk, go to step 2 in the following steps. If you can start Windows XP and the Recovery Console is preinstalled on your hard disk, go to step 3.

If you cannot log on to Windows XP, download the necessary files, create the appropriate Setup disks for floppy boot installation, start your computer by using the Setup disks, and then log on to Recovery Console. The Setup disks have been updated to correct the problem that prevents you from starting Windows XP. For more information about how to obtain and use Setup disks, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Install the Recovery Console if it is not already installed. This step is required for the hotfix listed in step 3 to update your Recovery Console. To install Recovery Console, use the winnt32 /cmdcons command from the I386 folder on the Windows XP CD-ROM.For more information about how to install and use the Recovery Console, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain and install the Q308402 hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

If you already have Recovery Console installed, installing this hotfix automatically updates the C:\Cmdcons folder with the update so that you can log on to Recovery Console.

Administrator Using Sysprep

To resolve this problem, obtain a version of Windows XP that has Service Pack 1 already integrated, or obtain and install the latest service pack for Windows XP before you run Sysprep. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Using Sysprep

To resolve this problem, obtain a version of Windows XP that has Service Pack 1 already integrated.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows XP Service Pack 1.

MORE INFORMATION

If you reinstall Recovery Console for any reason, you must reinstall this hotfix. To install Recovery Console, use the winnt32 /cmdcons command from the I386 folder on the Windows XP CD-ROM. For information about the Microsoft policy about lost or forgotten passwords, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Similar problems and resolutions

If you are still experiencing a problem that resembles the one that this article describes, it may be a different problem. For more information about similar problems and resolutions, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

321305 How to log on to your Windows XP-based computer if you forget your password or if your password expires

308041 How to enable an administrator to log on automatically in Recovery Console

312149 How to enable an administrator to log on automatically in Recovery Console

If these articles do not help you resolve the problem, or if you experience symptoms that differ from those that are described in this article, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more information. To search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, visit the following Microsoft Web site: